Fluid actuated circuit closer



Aug. 17, 1943. w. w. MAYS 2,327,054

FLUID ACTUATED CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed April 17, 1942 w Patented Aug. 17, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID ACTUATED CIRCUIT CLOSER Wilburt WV. Mays, ltiiddletown, Pa. Application April 17, 1942, Serial No. 439,419

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a signal operating means and pertains particularly to a hydraulic stop light switch or signal circuit controller for connection with any standard type of master cylinder in a fluid brake system, or with any other part of the system where fluid pressure is developed upon the application of the brakes.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simply constructed but strong and durable hydraulic switch which can be relied upon to operate at all times when it is properly connected in a hydraulic brake system to receive pressure therefrom so that the operation of the vehicle brake light will always be assured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid or hydraulic switch structure which can be inexpensively manufactured and which can also .be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled as required so that the device may be set up and put into operation with a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

The invention will be best understood from a. consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific illustration or description but that such illustration and description constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the switch structure embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed top plan View of one of the elements of the switch unit per se.

Figure 5 illustrates one manner of connecting the switch with a master cylinder and shows a signal circuit diagram in which circuit the switch is connected.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it Will be seen upon reference to Figure 1 that the switch comprises the two separably joined sections I and 2. Both of these sections are of polygonal exterior cross-section, and the nal diameter than the nipple 4 and indicated by the numeral 5, which is exteriorly threaded for connection at a suitable point in the hydraulic brake system. This attaching nipple 5 has a small bore Gtherethrough by way of which fluid under pressure may enter the piston chamber 3.

The piston chamber 3 is provided near the upper end, or that end from which the nipple 4 extends, with the annular wall groove or channel 1 in which is fitted a slit stop ring 8, the ends of which have the inwardly directed fingers 9,

the function of which is hereinafter set forth.

The portion 2 of the switch body is in the form of an elongated tubular shell which is open at one end and provided with the interiorly reduced threaded portion In in which the nipple 4 is received. The interior of the shell provides a chamber H which is substantially the same diameter as the piston chamber 3, and the end wall of the shell 2 has two longitudinally extending passages l2 formed therethrough for the purpose hereinafter described.

Extending from the open end of the tubular shell are the diametrically opposed longitudinal slots I3 in which are slidably engaged the ends of a guidespider M, the central portion of which is enlarged, as indicated at I5, and provided with a piston stem guide 15.

Within the piston chamber 3 is closely fitted a solid piston ll. This is interposed between the stop ring 8 and that end of the chamber from which the bore 3 leads. A stem I3 is carried by the piston l1 and extends longitudinally through the aligned chamber to and through the guide It, as shown.

Secured to the piston stem I8 is a collar 19 and interposed between this collar and the spider I4 is a compression spring 20 which constantly urges the piston to move into the piston chamber 3 toward the bore 6.

The free end of the piston rod I8 is reduced and threaded to have threadably secured thereon the contact head 2| which is formed of a suitable insulation material.

Within the upper end of the chamber l l is fitted an insulation liner 22 which covers the end wall and a portion of the side wall. This liner has integrally formed therewith the sleeves 23, each of which extends through a passage [2 to form an insulation lining over the wall thereof.

The numeral 24 generally designates an element of the switch unit. There are two of these elements in the unit and each element comprises a post 25 around one-half of the lower end of which is a spacer flange 26. From the said lower end there also extends, oppositely from the flange 26, the'resilient contact'finger 2-1. The post 25 is adapted to be extended througha sleeve 23 to extend beyond the upper end of the shell, and the upper end of the post is provided. with the axial bore 28 which is tapped to receive a binding screw 29. Exteriorly the upper end of each post 25 is threaded to receive a securing nut3il and between this nut and the end of the shell is interposed an insulation Washer. 3 L By means. of thenut the post is. drawn tightly-into positionand the terminal or contact 2'! is disposed within the shell to extend axially so that its free e nd.

her. one terminates in. a downwardly turned portion 21' while the other one terminates in an up ward 1y extending portion 2'!" and theseoppositely-directed portions are arranged in spaced aligned relation and, being upon the axial center' of' the chamber. M,. are in: line with theinsulationiheadt 21. of the pistorrstem 53.. Thus-,when; fluid, under;

sufficient pressure is: introduced into. the piston sure is obtainable forintroduction thro'ughthe passage 6 to the piston chamber 3 for the purposeof'actuating the piston when the brakes are applied. 7

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the device herein described is of simple construction but may be strongly made so as to give long and reliable service. If, for any reason, access must be had to theinterior of the device forlmaking repairs or'adiustrnents this may be readily accomplished by'unscrei iing thetubular shell portion 2 from the cylinder portion 1,

V whereupon all of the parts can be easily reached. is located adjacent the axial center of the charm" The terminal fingers '2'? are. shaped so't'hat'.

fI claim: Y

Acircuit closerunit comprising a pair of bodies, each having an axial chamber opening through 'one'end', means detachably coupling the bodies as to effect the closingof the electrical; signal;

circuit. 3 2, Figure 5,. in; which the. switch unit terminals or elements are connected. I

\Vhilebothof-the "terminals? 21 arelflexihler soi that excessivepressureon the; lowermost terminal will not damage the switch,v due to thefactithat the upper terminal will a1sokyie1d,,the. stopming;

8. is so locatedinx the: piston. chamber-as to.- limit when the fluid pressureisrreducedsufiiciently the spring will; take controli andareturna the piston to. its former positionthus allowing thetipsll and.

21" to separate and:thush open.;the-signal.cirzcuit;

In 'Figure 5 the circuit closing deviceisfshown coupled, with. a master cylinder C- of a hydraulic: brakesys-tem; but itis tobe understood that the device,-mayabe used at any other suitable localtion in the system where thedesiredifluid pres together. to axially join said chambers, a piston disposed within the chamber of one body and having an integral stem extending axially into the; chamber oft-the other body; means-for con plingjt'he saidone. body with a; source of; fluid: under pressure for the; introductionofi fluid into the chamber of. the said: onek-bcdybetween; the. piston and the adjacent endiwall of: the body,;a-. splitring fitted within thechamber of:- the onebody upon. the. opposite sidelofthe piston? from the fluid introducing, .means;. the extremities. of

the split ring having; inwardly: directed fingers: g for. limitingithe operativer'm'ovement.offthe; pie-i ton; a: pair; of terminal posts extending.- through;

the; end' walliof: the? other: body and jeachtcarrying. upon its:inner:endaa resilient contactfi'ngensaid contact fingers: beingzarranged; in; GDd DVBIlZPE- ping-spaced relationguponthe'. axiaii center or: the

chamber: and inz the line: ofxthe pistoni stem. one".

cfsaidifingerst being; engaged by'thezpistonz stem= uponi moyementiofthe piston Iunder flnidi pres.

sure to; bring said fingers intoelectricah contact;

a; guide: member extending transversely: OfffllhS' chamber of the saidrothenbodye and having the piston stienr slidably' extended? therethrough, a

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